I wasn't very pleased with 412's on my Spirit. Way too harsh and started leaking after 5,000 mi. Worx and Burly are two other brands. On a note the shock bushing wear out about every 15,000. You might find a set neoprene variant that will work as I think someone mentioned this here in recent past. You'll have to remove the shock and measure the length or wait for someone else to provide the info.

 

I wasn't very pleased with 412's on my Spirit. Way too harsh and started leaking after 5,000 mi.

Worx and Burly are two other brands. ...the shock bushing wear out about every 15,000.

How do you know your shocks are bad on a cruiser motorcycle, and how would you know if just the bushing is bad?

I've recently acquired this 1996 Honda shadow VT 1100 and I have no idea how old the shocks are, or the bushings.

And I don't even know the mileage because certainly some prior owners have disconnected or replaced the speedometer and odometer.

 

I just know that it's a 25yr old motorcycle with almost 30,000 miles on it. Anything with seals/bushings/etc. are bound to be worn/dry rotted,cracked etc. Just trying to restore this ole gal to as dependable status as possible and shocks are one of the important things on my list for overall control and comfort. And an easy job to replace. Just need to find out stock length and what brand/part numbers will fit.

 

Another common issue is getting the rear shocks set properly. All the way soft may be way too soft and you're bottoming out. Proper adjustment is to get the sag to be 1/3 of total travel with you sitting on it ready to ride. Have some helpers (Edit: lift the rear to top out the suspension.), hold it upright and level, Maybe a level taped to the tank, across speedo if there or gas fill or? You measure from a point above the rear axle to the floor. Then you sit on it or a helper who weighs the same and re-measure. Most cruisers seem to be around 3" of travel in the rear, so approx. 1" lower. I thought my 412's were no good until I got them set right. For me on the 750 Ace, that was the 3rd(middle) notch, 4th for two-up.

 

Here's a list of Honda's that share the same stock rubber variant. Valk's and most VTX 1800's will work.

Honda 52489-KR3-003 - SHOCK BUSHING | Partzilla.com

Buy Honda 52489-KR3-003 - SHOCK BUSHING. This OEM part is guaranteed by Honda's limited part warranty ✓ FREE Shipping on qualified orders - Partzilla.com

www.partzilla.com

Here is what most Valk riders use.

Rear Shock Bushing Kit Ver. 2, Polyurethane ( fits Valkyrie GL1500C,CD,CT,CF )

Back to the store: https://redeye.ecrater.com/ Stock Rear Shock Bushing Kit, Ver. 2 – Polyurethane (does not have any teflon) Fits all 1500c

redeye.ecrater.com